MINNEAPOLIS - As another coach denied interest in the job Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings appeared set to interview at least one candidate for their opening at defensive coordinator.
Barring a change in plans, Leslie Frazier - the Indianapolis Colts' special assistant and co-defensive backs coach - is scheduled to arrive in the Twin Cities for an interview today. Frazier, who served as Cincinnati's defensive coordinator in 2003-04, said in interviews last week that he would be interested in the job.
Frazier and Vikings coach Brad Childress served on the same staff in Philadelphia from 1999 to 2002. Frazier was the defensive backs coach and Childress began as quarterbacks coach.
Frazier, 46, played cornerback for the Chicago Bears from 1981 to '86. He has learned the Tampa-2 defense while working for Colts coach Tony Dungy.
While Frazier's travel plans were confirmed, University of Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English spent part of Tuesday refuting a report that he had spent the day in Minnesota interviewing for the job. Sirius NFL Radio reported as much Tuesday afternoon, suggesting English was Childress' top candidate for the job.
ADVERTISEMENT
In fact, English spent the day in Ann Arbor, Mich., and issued a statement denying his involvement.
"I have not had any contact with the Minnesota Vikings," English said, "and do not plan to leave Michigan."
English is the second major-college assistant to deny reports that he was close to accepting the job. Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, a close friend and former colleague of Childress, said last week that he was not a candidate.
Along with Frazier, the Vikings' top two candidates are defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and linebackers coach Fred Pagac. Other possibilities include Colts co-defensive backs coach Alan Williams, along with Chicago assistants Bob Babich, the former North Dakota State University head football coach, and Steve Wilks.
Etc.
The Vikings are mailing out season ticket invoices this week. The team has raised prices annually for nine years, but this year at least some tickets will remain unchanged. Team officials plan to release the entire price structure later this week. In 2006, the Vikings had the NFL's seventh-highest ticket prices, according to Team Marketing Report.
Seifert writes for the Star Tribune (Minneapolis).
